# How to Rename Screenshots on Your Mac

On macOS, screenshots are saved with a default filename pattern that includes:

* **"Screenshot"** - This is the base text included in all screenshot filenames.
    
* **Date** - Represented in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., 2024-04-24).
    
* **Time** - Represented in [HH.MM.SS](http://HH.MM.SS) format (e.g., 14.22.18).
    
* **Optional bracketed number:** If you take multiple screenshots in quick succession, a bracketed number will be appended to differentiate them (e.g., Screenshot 2024-04-24 at 14.22.18 (2)).
    
* **File extension:** This is typically ".png" for screenshots captured on macOS.
    

Here's the complete default filename pattern:

```plaintext
Screenshot YYYY-MM-DD at HH.MM.SS (number).png
```

**Example:**

* Screenshot taken on April 24, 2024, at 2:22 PM: "Screenshot 2024-04-24 at 14.22.18.png"
    

**Changing the Default Filename Pattern:**

While you cannot directly change the default filename pattern within the Screenshot application, you can achieve some customization using Terminal commands:

1. **Change the base text:**
    

Use the `defaults write` command to modify the base text "Screenshot". However, this might cause compatibility issues with some software.

Bash

```plaintext
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name "MyScreenshots"
```

2. **Change the file extension:**
    

Use the `defaults write` command to specify a different file extension (e.g., ".jpg").

Bash

```plaintext
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
```

**Alternative Methods:**

* **Third-party apps:** Several third-party screenshot utilities offer more control over filename customization.
    
* **Scripting:** You can use scripting languages like Automator or AppleScript to rename screenshots after they are captured.
    

**Important Note:** Remember to kill the "SystemUIServer" process using `killall SystemUIServer` in Terminal after making changes with `defaults write` commands for the changes to take effect.